What is a Cashier’s Check and How Do I Get One?

Sending money with apps and cash is one thing. But when you have $20,000 to transfer, you might not trust your average peer-to-peer service.

Even in an era where financial transactions are increasingly digital, cashier's checks remain a reliable, private, and secure physical payment method for large payments. From private car sales to home down payments, they guarantee funds to the recipient while giving you the safety and privacy you need.

Here’s a guide to what a cashier's check is, when it’s useful, and how to get one.

Cashier's checks are similar to personal checks. They’re both pieces of paper that you can get from your bank and give to a payee.

But while a personal check is something you personally can fill out and sign, you have to fill out cashier’s checks at your bank or credit union. You inform the teller who and how much to make the check out for, and those funds are immediately withdrawn from your bank account. The bank then transfers the funds to a special account and keeps them there until the recipient deposits the check. All you have to do is pay a fee of $6–$15.

Because your financial institution holds the funds for you, the cashier’s check withdrawal is like any other debit transaction — unlike regular checks, where the funds only leave your account when the recipient cashes it. That makes cashier’s checks more secure. While they aren’t totally safe from check fraud, they’re much less likely to bounce.

Cashier's checks are most helpful when you have to send someone a lot of money — particularly someone you don’t know very well. Here are a few situations where you might use (or be asked for) one:

When you buy a home, law firms and other people involved often ask for cashier’s checks for down payments and closing costs. They guarantee the transaction and avoid slowing down legal paperwork.

When making significant security deposits, like for an apartment or equipment rental, a cashier's check is often a good choice because it guarantees the funds.

Sellers sometimes request these checks when you buy expensive items like cars, boats, or real estate. They offer more security and are usually more convenient because sellers can trust you to leave with the item even before they’ve deposited the check.

Getting a cashier’s check is surprisingly easy. Here are a few steps to take:

1. Review the requirements. Before visiting your bank, make sure you have enough money in your account for the transaction. Some issuers let you pay with cash instead.

2. Prepare your information. Collect the information and documents the teller might request, like your bank card, the payee’s name, the amount of the check, and a government-issued photo ID. It’s a good idea to call ahead and make sure you have everything.

3. Request the check from a teller. When ready, visit your local bank branch or credit union and request a cashier's check. The teller should let you know what the fee is and request all the information and documents you prepared. Once the check is issued, it isn’t reversible, so make sure everything is correct.

4. Pay and get a receipt. After compiling the paperwork, the teller withdraws the funds and the fee from your account. They'll give you the cashier's check along with a receipt.

5. Deliver or mail the check. Your last step is to deliver or mail the check to the recipient. Once they get it, they can deposit the cashier’s check at their bank.

You can’t get a cashier's check from just any bank or credit union. While some offer these checks to non-customers, it’s best to go with your own bank because it’s less of a hassle. Some financial insinuations let you order cashier's checks online, but going to a physical branch is much faster because you get same-day service.

If you don’t have a bank account, call ahead to a few different institutions. Some may be willing to work with you.

While cashier's checks offer security, they have drawbacks. They’re slower and less convenient than regular checks, and the fees are typically higher. Here are some alternatives to help you decide if a cashier's check is right for your situation.

Money orders are similar to cashier's checks in that they provide a guaranteed form of payment. The difference is that you can find them at more than just banks, like post offices, convenience stores, and other retailers. Money orders also often have lower transaction fees, often $1–$5, and don't require a bank account like cashier's checks. The catch is that the limit is much lower.

Apps like PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle have better convenience and much lower fees when it comes to money transfers. These apps allow for quick and easy transactions between individuals or businesses by offering instant (or near-instant) payment directly from your smartphone, avoiding the need to visit a bank or hand over a piece of paper.

The main drawback of using peer-to-peer payment apps is that many businesses don’t accept them, and it’s usually hard to transfer more than a few hundred dollars at once.

Wire transfers are another secure way to send money directly from one bank account to another. They're often useful for large transactions or international payments because they’re highly secure. The downside is that they can take a day or two to process, making them not ideal for time-sensitive transactions.

Certified checks are like regular types of checks, but the bank verifies that the signature is genuine and that the funds are available. While many businesses may accept a certified check over a cashier's check, they typically cost just as much and aren’t as secure or private.

Cashier’s checks are just one step to making big financial moves like buying a house or a car. But what if you need money for day-to-day expenses?

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